Insider: Steelers Content with Mason Rudolph if Aaron Rodgers Retires
Steelers Insider Ray Fittipaldo explained that Steelers would be comfortable with Mason Rudolph if Aaron Rodgers retires.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie mini-camp will be followed by more mandatory camps in the coming weeks. One question that has lingered since the season ended is the quarterback position. Though it feels Aaron Rodgers will ultimately sign with the Steelers, Ray Fittipaldo suggested Pittsburgh won’t be desperate to go elsewhere if he retires.
“[Rodgers] is their best option available.” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday. Despite this, the insider made a curious statement on if Rodgers decided to retire.
Fittipaldo continued during his interview, “They wouldn’t have their hearts broken if Aaron Rodgers retires because they like Mason Rudolph.”
That is an interesting position to be in for Pittsburgh. The Steelers in that scenario have Rudolph, fourth-year journeyman Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard as their 2025 quarterbacks.
It certainly isn’t ideal to be in that position. It could, however, give Rudolph a shot at playing under a veteran offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. If things were to go poorly, however, rookie Howard could then get an opportunity to show what he has.
It is worth noting that head coach Mike Tomlin expressed comfort in the former Oklahoma State Cowboy earlier this offseason. That comfort goes as far as a week one starter role.
With Rodgers not under contract, it’s heading towards the eight-year veteran being QB1. Rudolph returned to the Steel City after spending a year with the Tennessee Titans.
In his first stint with the Steelers, the eight-year veteran had a roller coaster experience. It was capped off on a high note, though, as Rudolph saved the 2023 season, guiding Pittsburgh to a three-game winning streak to punch their ticket to the playoffs.